Student flags need for buses

Paul Dunlop
A TEENAGER is taking his frustation at the lack of public transport in the area to State Parliament.
Michael Galea, a year eight student at Emerald Secondary College, has begun a petition calling for bus services to be established between his home town of Gembrook and Pakenham.
The enterprising 13yearold has collected signatures from schoolmates, teachers and residents.
Michael said he was sick of having to rely on rides from his parents to get to Pakenham or other centres to visit friends or go shopping.
“There’s no bus services from Gembrook to Pakenham which is very annoying for a lot of people,” he said.
“I’ve decided to do something about it.”
Michael recently presented his petition to Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato.
He said he had had plenty of support from the community and is hoping to collect as many signatures as possible.
Copies of the petition have been placed in shops at Pakenham, Pakenham Upper and Gembrook.
Michael said he hoped his efforts would prompt the State Government to increase bus services in the area.
“I have been thinking about this for a while and my family and everyone has been very supportive,” he said.
“It’s a service that is badly needed.”
Michael’s initiative was commended by Ms Lobato who said the teenager had shown extraordinary leadership.
“The initiative shown by him has been remarkable and he has now collected well over 100 signatures from local residents as well as fellow students in and around his neighbourhood,” she said.
“It is fantastic that people as young as Michael are engaging with important issues as well as gaining knowledge about how lobbying and the political process works.”
Ms Lobato said she had the petition in her office where people could sign it for the next week before it was presented to the Parliament.
The Gembrook MP said she was keen to see further improvements to bus services in the area.
Liberal candidate Simon Wildes has also pledged to fight for road and transport upgrades in the seat of Gembrook.
Ms Lobato said Michael had pinpointed one area where there was a service gap that needed to be addressed.
“I will continue to raise the need for extra bus services in the electorate,” she said.
“With continued population growth in Gembrook and other hills township, we need to ensure that public transport infrastructure keeps pace with the increasing demand for services.
“I commend Michael on his own efforts to ensure this message is heard,” Ms Lobato said.